U.S. patent application number 13/027151 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-15 for carrying apparatus and image recording apparatus including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Shota IIJIMA, Shingo ITO, Yasuhira OTA, Iwane SANO, Naokazu TANAHASHI.
Application Number | 20110222947 13/027151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44560135 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110222947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IIJIMA; Shota ; et
al. |
September 15, 2011 |
CARRYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE
SAME
Abstract
A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to
guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first
pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is
wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner;
and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a
first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism
moves the first roller between a first position at which the first
roller carries the first carried object and a second position which
is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which
the first roller carries the second carried object.
Inventors: |
IIJIMA; Shota; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; SANO; Iwane; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; OTA;
Yasuhira; (Yatomi-shi, JP) ; TANAHASHI; Naokazu;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; ITO; Shingo; (Kasugai-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Nagoya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
44560135 |
Appl. No.: |
13/027151 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
400/578 ;
198/790 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/13 20130101;
B65H 2404/14 20130101; B65H 2801/12 20130101; B65H 2403/25
20130101; B65H 2220/09 20130101; B65H 2403/514 20130101; B65H
2404/143 20130101; B65H 2801/06 20130101; B65H 2511/13 20130101;
B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2511/22 20130101; B65H 2511/22
20130101; B65H 5/062 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
400/578 ;
198/790 |
International
Class: |
B41J 13/00 20060101
B41J013/00; B65G 13/07 20060101 B65G013/07 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2010 |
JP |
2010-056407 |
Claims
1. A carrying apparatus comprising: a carry path which is defined
to guide a first carried object and a second carried object which
is larger in thickness than the first carried object; a first
pulley which is configured to be rotated by a drive force generated
in a drive source; a first roller which is provided on one side of
opposite sides of the carry path; a second pulley which is provided
coaxially with the first roller and is configured to be rotated
integrally with the first roller; a first belt which is wound on
the first pulley and the second pulley and is configured to be
moved circumferentially between the first pulley and the second
pulley; a first tensioner which is fixed at a position where the
first tensioner applies a predetermined tension to the first belt;
and a first moving mechanism which is configured to move the first
roller between (i) a first position at which the first roller
carries the first carried object and (ii) a second position which
is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which
the first roller carries the second carried object; wherein the
second position is a position at which a tension by the first
tensioner to the first belt is substantially equal to the
predetermined tension applied by the first tensioner to the first
belt where the first roller is positioned at the first
position.
2. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first
tensioner is located at a position where the first tensioner
applies a tension to the first belt in a direction away from the
carry path, and wherein the second position is a position where the
first roller is farther from the carry path than the first roller
located at the first position and where the first roller is farther
from the first tensioner than the first roller located at the first
position.
3. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first
tensioner is located at a position where the first tensioner
applies a tension to the first belt toward the carry path, and
wherein the second position is a position where the first roller is
farther from the carry path than the first roller located at the
first position and where the first roller is nearer to the first
tensioner than the first roller located at the first position.
4. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first rotary shaft which supports the first roller; and a pair of
frames each of which is disposed at a corresponding one of the
opposite ends of the first rotary shaft, wherein each of the pair
of frames has a first slit which guides the first rotary shaft so
as to allow the first roller to move between the first position and
the second position.
5. The carrying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first
slit extends in a direction parallel to a direction from the first
position toward the second direction.
6. The carrying apparatus according to claim 4, the first position
is a position of the first roller when the first rotary shaft is
positioned at an open end portion of the first slit.
7. The carrying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second
position is a position of the first roller when the first rotary
shaft is positioned at a closed end portion of the first slit.
8. The carrying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first
moving mechanism further includes: a guide member which supports
the first rotary shaft such that the first roller is rotatable; and
a first eccentric cam which is configured to rotate in a state in
which a circumferential surface thereof is in contact with the
guide member.
9. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second roller which is provided on the other side of the opposite
sides of the carry path and at a position different from that of
the first roller in a conveying direction in which the first
carried object and the second carried object are carried in the
carry path; a first gear which is provided coaxially with the
second roller and is rotatable integrally with the second roller;
and a second gear which is meshable with the first gear and
provided on the one side of the carry path so as to be opposed to
the first gear, wherein the drive source is configured to generate
a drive force to rotate the second roller, and wherein the first
pulley is provided coaxially with the second gear so as to be
rotated integrally with the second gear.
10. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a third roller which is provided on the other side of
the carry path so as to be opposed to the first roller located at
the first position and which is configured to carry the first
carried object, while nipping the first carried object with the
first roller; and a fourth roller which is provided on the other
side of the carry path so as to be opposed to the first roller
located at the second position and which is configured to carry the
second carried object, while nipping the second carried object with
the first roller.
11. The feed apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the fourth
roller is located at a position where a straight line connecting
between a center of the rotation of the first roller located at the
second position and a center of the rotation of the fourth roller
is perpendicular to the conveying direction.
12. The carrying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a fifth roller which is provided on the one side of the
carry path and is located on the other side of the first roller
from the first pulley in the conveying direction; a third pulley
which is provided coaxially with the fifth roller so as to be
rotated integrally with the fifth roller; a second belt which is
wound on the second pulley at a position different, in an axis
direction of the second pulley, from a position where the first
belt is wound on the second pulley and which is wound on the third
pulley so as to extend between the second pulley and the third
pulley, the second belt being configured to be moved
circumferentially between the second pulley and the third pulley; a
second tensioner which is fixed at a position where the second
tensioner applies a predetermined tension to the second belt; and a
second moving mechanism configured to move the fifth roller between
a third position at which the fifth roller carries the first
carried object and a fourth position which is farther from the
carry path than the third position and at which the fifth roller
carries the second carried object; wherein the fourth position is a
position at which a tension by the second tensioner to the second
belt is substantially equal to the predetermined tension applied by
the second tensioner to the second belt where the fifth roller is
positioned at the third position; and wherein the first moving
mechanism moves the first roller from the first position to the
second position under a condition that the fifth roller starts to
be moved from the third position to the fourth position by the
second moving mechanism.
13. The carrying apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a second rotary shaft which supports the fifth roller;
and a pair of frames each of which is disposed at a corresponding
one of opposite ends of the second rotary shaft, wherein each of
the pair of frames has a second slit which guides the second rotary
shaft so as to allow the fifth roller to move between the third
position and the fourth position.
14. The carrying apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
second slit extends in a direction parallel to a direction from the
third direction toward the fourth direction.
15. The carrying apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
fourth position is a position of the fifth roller when the second
rotary shaft is positioned at a closed end portion of the second
slit.
16. The carrying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first
moving mechanism moves the first roller from the first position to
the second position after the movement of the fifth roller from the
third position to the fourth position by the second moving
mechanism is completed.
17. The carrying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an amount
of the movement of the fifth roller from the third position to the
fourth position is larger than that of the first roller from the
first position to the second position, wherein the second moving
mechanism capable of moving the fifth roller to a fifth position
that is on a path of the movement of the fifth roller from the
third position to the fourth position and that is distant from the
fourth position toward the third position by a distance from the
second position to the first position and in a direction from the
second position to the first position, wherein the first moving
mechanism moves the first roller from the first position to the
second position under a condition that the movement of the fifth
roller by the second moving mechanism from the third position to
the fifth position is completed, and wherein the second moving
mechanism moves the fifth roller from the fifth position to the
fourth position at the same time as the first roller starts to be
moved from the first position to the second position by the first
moving mechanism.
18. The carrying apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a
direction from the third position toward the fifth position is in
parallel with a direction from the first position toward the second
position.
19. An image recording apparatus including the carrying apparatus
according to claim 1, wherein the carry path is defined to guide a
recording medium as the first carried object and a tray as the
second carried object on which the recording medium is placed, and
wherein the image recording apparatus further comprises a recording
portion which is provided so as to face a recording surface of the
recording medium in the carry path and which is configured to
record an image on the recording medium.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-056407, which was filed on Mar. 12, 2010, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a carrying apparatus which
carries a carried object by rotation of rollers, and particularly
to a carrying apparatus in which respective pulleys provided with
the respective rollers are connected by a belt and to an image
recording apparatus which includes the carrying apparatus.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] There is known a carrying apparatus which carries a carried
object by rotation of rollers. For example, such a carrying
apparatus is included in an image recording apparatus of an inkjet
type or an electrophotographic type which records an image on a
sheet-like recording medium such as a recording sheet. More
specifically, the image recording apparatus includes a pair of
rollers as the carrying apparatus, a carry path which guides the
sheet-like recording medium as the carried object, a recording
portion which records an image on the recording medium, and so on.
In the image recording apparatus, the sheet-like recording medium
is fed through the carry path while nipped by the pair of rollers,
and a desired image is recorded on the recording medium when the
recording medium passes the recording portion. The pair of rollers
are held in contact with each other in order to nip and carry the
sheet-like recording medium.
[0006] There are generally a plurality of pairs of rollers provided
in the carry path because the carry path of the image recording
apparatus has some degree of length. Further, some image recording
apparatus has a structure in which, with at least one of each pair
of rollers, there is provided a pulley which rotates integrally
with the at least one roller, and a belt is wound on the pulleys.
In this image recording apparatus, a drive force is transmitted
from one roller to another roller through the belt. Accordingly,
the plurality of rollers can be driven by one drive source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As the recording medium on which an image is recorded in the
above-mentioned image recording apparatus, the recording medium
having high rigidity such as a CD and a DVD as well as the
sheet-like recording medium having low rigidity such as a recording
sheet has been suggested. In general, when an image is recorded on
the recording medium having high rigidity, the recording medium is
set in a tray for exclusive use. The tray is inserted into an
insertion opening formed in the image recording apparatus and
carried into inside of the image recording apparatus.
[0008] However, the tray has a larger thickness than the recording
medium having low rigidity such as the recording sheet. Therefore,
in a case where each pair of rollers provided in the carry path are
in contact with each other in order to nip the sheet-like recording
medium, each pair of rollers cannot nip the recording medium having
high rigidity. To solve the above problem, it can be considered
that the image recording apparatus which can record an image on the
recording medium having high rigidity has a mechanism in which a
pair of rollers are moved away from each other, i.e., a mechanism
in which at least one of the pair of rollers is movable. For
example, when an image is recorded on the recording medium having
low rigidity, the pair of rollers are in contact with each other,
and when an image is recorded on the recording medium having high
rigidity, the pair of rollers are moved away from each other.
[0009] However, in a case where a pulley is provided in the movable
roller and connected with a pulley provided in another motor by a
belt, the following problem occurs. In general, when the belt is
wound on the pulleys, a tension is applied to the belt by a
tensioner. In this case, the tension applied to the belt changes
with the movement of the movable roller.
[0010] For example, in a case where the tensioner is disposed
outside a circular belt that is wound on two pulleys, so as to be
located on a side of the circular belt nearer to the carry path,
and a tension is applied to the circular belt by the tensioner from
outside the circular belt in a first direction in which the roller
is moved, when the roller is moved in the first direction, the
tension by the tensioner may be weakened. On the other hand, in a
case where the tensioner is disposed outside the circular belt so
as to be located on a first-direction side of the circular belt,
and the tension is applied to the circular belt by the tensioner
from outside the circular belt in a second direction toward the
carry path, when the roller is moved in the first direction, the
tension by the tensioner may be strengthened.
[0011] When the tension applied to the belt changes as mentioned
above, a drive force cannot be properly transmitted between the
rollers, and capability of carrying of the recording medium may
become unstable. Further, when the tension is weakened and the belt
goes slack, the belt may slip around (come off) the pulley/pulleys
and the tensioner. When the tension is strengthened, it accelerates
deterioration of the belt and the belt may be stretched or
broken.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a carrying apparatus and an image recording apparatus to,
in a case where rollers are connected by a belt with each other,
move at least one of the rollers with reducing an excessive change
in tension of the belt.
[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a
carrying apparatus comprising: a carry path which is defined to
guide a first carried object and a second carried object which is
larger in thickness than the first carried object; a first pulley
which is configured to be rotated by a drive force generated in a
drive source; a first roller which is provided on one side of
opposite sides of the carry path; a second pulley which is provided
coaxially with the first roller and is configured to be rotated
integrally with the first roller; a first belt which is wound on
the first pulley and the second pulley and is configured to be
moved circumferentially between the first pulley and the second
pulley; a first tensioner which is fixed at a position where the
first tensioner applies a predetermined tension to the first belt;
and a first moving mechanism which is configured to move the first
roller between (i) a first position at which the first roller
carries the first carried object and (ii) a second position which
is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which
the first roller carries the second carried object. The first
moving mechanism which is configured to move the first roller
between (i) a first position at which the first roller carries the
first carried object and (ii) a second position which is farther
from the carry path than the first position and at which the first
roller carries the second carried object. The second position is a
position at which a tension by the first tensioner to the first
belt is substantially equal to the predetermined tension applied by
the first tensioner to the first belt where the first roller is
positioned at the first position.
[0014] In the carrying apparatus, when the first roller is moved
from the first position to the second position, the tension applied
to the first belt can be substantially equal to that when the first
roller is positioned at the first position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and optional objects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will be better understood by reading the
following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a
Multifunction Device 10 as an example of embodiments of an image
recording apparatus in the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing
an internal structure of a printer portion 11;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of embodiments of
a carrying apparatus in the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4A through 4C are side cross-sectional views of the
carrying apparatus;
[0020] FIGS. 5A through 5D are side cross-sectional views
schematically showing the carrying apparatus: FIG. 5A shows a case
where a third feed roller 45 is moved from a third position 143 to
a fourth position 144; FIG. 5B shows a case where the third feed
roller 45 is moved among the third position 143, the fourth
position 144 and a fifth position 145; FIG. 5C shows a case where
slopes among the respective positions 143, 144, 145 are constant;
and FIG. 5D shows a case where a slope from the third position 143
to the fifth position 145 is gentler than that from the fifth
position 145 to the fourth position 144;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a media tray 71; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing
a first pulley 82, a second pulley 83 and a first tensioner 87 of a
carrying apparatus in a modified embodiment 3 to which the present
invention is applied.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Hereinafter, there will be described preferred embodiments
of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The
present invention is not limited to the embodiments described
later. It is to be understood that the present invention may be
embodied with various changes and modifications that may occur to a
person skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. Hereinafter,
on the basis of a state in which a Multifunction Device (MFD) 10 is
installed in use (a state shown in FIG. 1), a vertical direction 7
is defined, a side where an opening 13 is formed is defined as a
front side and a front-rear direction 8 is defined, and a
left-right direction 9 is defined as seen from the front side of
the MFD 10.
[0024] [MFD 10]
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the MFD 10 as an example of an image
recording apparatus in the present invention has a substantially
flat rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a printer portion 11
of an inkjet recording type in a lower portion thereof. The MFD 10
has various functions such as a facsimile-machine function and a
printer function. The printer portion 11 includes a casing 14 that
has the opening 13 in the front side thereof. A sheet-supply tray
20 and a sheet-discharge tray 21 (shown in FIG. 2) are insertable
into and detachable from the opening 13 in the front-rear direction
8. On the sheet-supply tray 20, a desired size of a recording sheet
(as an example of a first carried object in the present invention)
can be placed.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer portion 11 includes (1) a
sheet-supply portion 15 which supplies the recording sheet, (2) a
recording portion 24 of the inkjet recording type (as an example of
a recording portion in the present invention) which records an
image on the recording sheet, (3) a feeding device 12 (shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C) as an example of a carrying apparatus in the
present invention, and so forth. The printer portion 11 records an
image on the recording sheet, based on print data and so on that
are received from an external device and so forth. The MFD 10 also
has a function in which the recording portion 24 records an image
on a face or a surface of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a
DVD-ROM that is larger in thickness than the recording sheet. This
function will be described later.
[0027] The MFD 10 also includes a first feed path 65 as an example
of a carry path in the present invention. The first feed path 65 is
curved upward and to the front side of the MFD 10 from a rear end
portion of the sheet-supply tray 20 so as to extend from a rear
side of the MFD 10 to the front side thereof, and extends below the
recording portion 24 and is connected to the sheet-discharge tray
21. The recording sheet is guided through the first feed path 65 in
a feed direction or a feed way (a direction indicated by a one-dot
chain line arrow in FIG. 2). The first feed path 65 is defined by
an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 53 that are
opposed to each other at a predetermined distance apart.
[0028] Above the sheet-supply tray 20, there is provided a
sheet-supply portion 15. The sheet-supply portion 15 includes a
sheet-supply roller 25, a sheet-supply arm 26 and a drive
transmission mechanism 27. The sheet-supply roller 25 is rotatably
supported by a free end of the sheet-supply arm 26 that is
pivotable in the vertical direction 7 so as to move toward and away
from the sheet-supply tray 20. The sheet-supply roller 25 is
rotated when a drive force of a sheet-supply motor (not shown) is
transmitted by the drive transmission mechanism 27 that has a
plurality of gears meshed with each other. The sheet-supply roller
25 separates one of the recording sheets stacked on the
sheet-supply tray 20 from the others and supplies the recording
sheet to the first feed path 65.
[0029] The recording portion 24 includes a carriage 40 that carries
a recording head 38 and is reciprocateable in a main scanning
direction or in a direction perpendicular to a sheet face (plane)
of FIG. 2. Ink is supplied from an ink cartridge/ink cartridges
(not shown) to the recording head 38. The recording head 38 ejects
tiny ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles 39. When the carriage
40 reciprocates in the main scanning direction, the recording head
38 is scanned relative to the recording sheet, so that an image is
recorded on the recording sheet or a recording medium that is fed
onto a platen 42 that is provided below the first feed path 65 to
be opposed to the recording portion 24. The platen 42 has a support
surface 43 to support a media tray 71 (as an example of a second
carried object and a tray in the present invention) that
accommodates the recording sheet and the recording medium. The
media tray 71 will be described later.
[0030] [Second pair of rollers 44, third pair of rollers 58, fourth
pair of rollers 59]
[0031] On an upstream side of the recording portion 24 in the feed
direction, there are provided a third pair of rollers 58 which
consist of (1) a first feed roller 60 (as an example of a second
roller in the present invention) that is located in an upper
portion of the first feed path 65 and (2) a plurality of first
pinch rollers 61 that are located in a lower portion of the first
feed path 65 and are opposed to the first feed roller 60. By an
elastic member such as spring (not shown), each first pinch roller
61 is pressed into contact with a roller surface of a first
circular member 111 (shown in FIG. 3) that constitutes the first
feed roller 60 and will be later described. The supplied recording
sheet is nipped and fed or carried onto the platen 42 by the third
pair of rollers 58.
[0032] On a downstream side of the recording portion 24 in the feed
direction, there are provided a fourth pair of rollers 59 which
consist of (1) a second feed roller 62 (as an example of a first
roller in the present invention) that is located on a lower side of
the first feed path 65 and (2) a spur roller 63 (as an example of a
third roller in the present invention) that is located in the upper
portion of the first feed path 65 and is opposed to the second feed
roller 62. Similarly to the first pinch rollers 61, the spur roller
63 is pressed into contact with the second feed roller 62. The
recording sheet fed from the recording portion 24 is nipped and fed
to the downstream side by the fourth pair of rollers 59.
[0033] On the downstream side of the fourth pair of rollers 59 in
the feed direction, there are provided a second pair of rollers 44
which consists of (1) a third feed roller 45 (as an example of a
fifth roller in the present invention) that is located on a lower
side of the first feed path 65 and (2) a spur roller 46 that is
located on an upper side of the first feed path 65 and is opposed
to the third feed roller 45. Similarly to the first pinch rollers
61, the spur roller 46 is pressed into contact with the third feed
roller 45. The recording sheet fed from the fourth pair of rollers
59 is nipped and fed to the sheet-discharge tray 21 or a second
feed path 67 described later by the second pair of rollers 44.
[0034] The first feed roller 60 is rotated by a drive force
transmitted from a feed motor (not shown, as an example of a drive
source in the present invention) through a drive transmission
mechanism (not shown). The drive transmission mechanism consists of
a planetary gear and so forth. The first feed roller 60 is so
rotated that, when the feed motor is rotated in one direction of
forward and backward (in the present embodiment, forward), the
recording sheet or the media tray 72 is fed or carried in the feed
direction, while, when the feed motor is rotated in the other
direction of forward and backward (in the present embodiment,
backward), the recording sheet or the media tray 71 is fed or
carried in an opposite direction (way) to the feed direction. The
feed direction and the opposite direction to the feed direction
correspond to a conveying direction in the present invention. As
mentioned later, the second feed roller 62 is rotated by a drive
force transmitted from the first feed roller 60 through a first
belt 85 (shown in FIG. 3), and the third feed roller 45 is rotated
by a drive force transmitted from the second feed roller 62 through
a second belt 86 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0035] [Path switching portion 41]
[0036] There is provided a path switching portion 41 between the
fourth pair of rollers 59 and the second pair of rollers 41 and on
an upper side of the first feed path 65. A flap 49 of the path
switching portion 41 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 50
that is disposed in the outer guide member 18. The flap 49
rotatably supports spur-like auxiliary rollers 47, 48. When images
are recorded on both sides of the recording sheet, the recording
sheet that is fed through the first feed path 65 is switched at the
downstream side of a branch opening 36 in the feed direction and
then fed to the second feed path 67 (described later) extending
obliquely downward from the branch opening 36. The path switching
portion 41 is pivotable between a discharge position (a position or
a posture shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) where a bottom end of
the auxiliary roller 48 is positioned higher in the vertical
direction 7 than the branch opening 36 and a reverse position (a
position or a posture shown by a broken line in FIG. 2) where the
bottom end of the auxiliary roller 48 is positioned lower in the
vertical direction 7 than the branch opening 36.
[0037] In a state in which the path switching portion 41 keeps at
the reverse position under its own weight, when a leading end of
the recording sheet being fed from the recording portion 24 to the
downstream side in the feed direction reaches the path switching
portion 41, the path switching portion 41 is pushed upward by an
upper surface of the recording sheet and pivoted (changed in
posture) from the reverse position to the discharge position. Then,
when a trailing end portion or a rear end portion of the recording
sheet reaches a specified position that is located on the upstream
side of the auxiliary roller 48 in the feed direction, the path
switching portion 41 is pivoted from the discharge position to the
reverse position. Accordingly, the trailing end portion of the
recording sheet is pressed downward by the auxiliary roller 48 to
head to the second feed path 67. In a case where one-side printing
is performed, the third feed roller 45 maintains a normal rotation,
and the recording sheet is discharged onto the sheet-discharge tray
21. In a case where double-side printing is performed, in a state
in which the trailing end portion of the recording sheet heads to
the second feed path 67, the third feed roller 45 is switched from
the normal rotation to a reverse rotation. Thus, the recording
sheet is switched and fed to the second feed path 67.
[0038] [Second feed path 67]
[0039] The second feed path 67 is branched from the first feed path
65 at the branch opening 36, extends below the inner guide member
53 and above the sheet-supply portion 15, and the second feed path
67 and the first feed path 65 meet at a meeting point 37. The
second feed path 67 is defined by the inner guide member 53 that is
provided above the second feed path 67 and a lower guide member 33
that is provided below the second feed path 67. In the second feed
path 67, there are provided a first pair of rollers 57 that consist
of a fourth feed roller 68 and a spur roller 69. When the fourth
feed roller 68 is rotated by a rotary force transmitted from a feed
motor, the recording sheet is fed to a direction from the branch
opening 36 to the meeting point 37.
[0040] [Media tray 71]
[0041] As mentioned before, the MFD 10 has the function to record
an image on the surface of the recording medium such as a CD-ROM
and a DVD-ROM. When the image is recorded on the recording medium,
the recording medium is placed on the media tray 71. The media tray
71 is, in a state of being placed on a tray guide 76 that is
provided in the opening 13, inserted along the first feed path 65
in a direction indicated by an arrow 77. As shown in FIG. 6, the
media tray 71 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped resin plate. On
an upper surface 72 of the media tray 71, there is formed a media
placing portion 70 that is a circular recess in which the recording
medium can be placed.
[0042] [Feeding device 12]
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the feeding device 12
includes, as described above, the first feed path 65, the first
feed roller 60, the second feed roller 62, the spur roller 63 and
the third feed roller 45, and also includes a first gear 80, a
second gear 81, a first pulley 82, a second pulley 83, a third
pulley 84, the first belt 85, the second belt 86, a first tensioner
87, a second tensioner 88, a second pinch roller 89 as an example
of a fourth roller in the present invention, and so forth.
[0044] The first feed roller 60 consists of a first rotary shaft
110 and a first circular member 111, formed of an elastic member
such as rubber, which is provided at the periphery of the first
rotary shaft 110 in a circumferential direction and is contactable
with the recording sheet and the media tray 71. The first feed
roller 60 is rotatably supported on a right frame 16 and a left
frame 17 of the printer portion 11 that are respectively disposed
on opposite end portions of the first feed path 65 in the
left-right direction 9. The first circular member 111 is located
between the right frame 16 and the left frame 17 in the left-right
direction 9. The first gear 80 having teeth over the entire
circumference is attached to a left side of the left frame 17 in
the first rotary shaft 110 in the left-right direction 9. The first
gear 80 is rotated integrally with the first feed roller 60 about
the first rotary shaft 110.
[0045] The plurality of first pinch rollers 61 are spaced from each
other in the left-right direction 9. Each first pinch roller 61 is
pressed into contact with the roller surface of the first circular
member 111 by the elastic member such as spring and is rotated with
the rotation of the first feed roller 60.
[0046] The second gear 81 is attached to a second rotary shaft 113.
The second rotary shaft 113 is rotatably supported on the right
frame 16 and the left frame 17. The second gear 81 is rotated about
the second rotary shaft 113. The second gear 81 is opposed to the
first gear 80 and meshes with the same 80.
[0047] The first pulley 82 is attached to the second rotary shaft
113 that is located at a position between the left frame 17 and the
second gear 81 in the left-right direction 9. The first pulley 82
is rotated integrally with the second gear 81 about the second
rotary shaft 113. The first belt 85 is wound along a
circumferential surface of the first pulley 82. In the present
embodiment, a drive force is transmitted to the first pulley 82
from the feed motor through the first gear 80 and the second gear
81, but the drive force from the feed motor may be transmitted to
the first pulley 82 without via the first gear 80 and the second
gear 81.
[0048] The second feed roller 62 consists of a third rotary shaft
120 and a plurality of second circular members 121, formed of an
elastic member such as rubber, which are provided at the periphery
of the third rotary shaft 120 in the circumferential direction and
are contactable with the recording sheet and the media tray 71. The
plurality of second circular members 121 are spaced from each other
in the left-right direction 9. There are respectively formed a
first right cutout 122 and a first left cutout 123 in the
respective frames 16, 17. Opposite end portions of the third rotary
shaft 120 in the left-right direction 9 are respectively inserted
in the first right cutout 122 and the first left cutout 123. Since
the third rotary shaft 120 is supported by the right frame 16 and
the left frame 17, the second feed roller 62 is rotatably
supported, on a right side of the right frame 16 and on a left side
of the left frame 17, by a first guide member 54 (shown in FIG. 2)
that is movable in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear
direction 8 and that will be described later. A direction in which
the first right cutout 122 and the first left cutout 123 extend is
in parallel with a direction in which the second feed roller 62 is
moved between a first position and a second position that will be
described later. In other words, the direction of extension of the
first right cutout 122 and the first left cutout 123 defines the
direction of the movement of the second feed roller 62 between the
first position and the second position.
[0049] The second pulley 83 is attached to the left side of the
left frame 17 in the third rotary shaft 120. The second pulley 83
is rotated integrally with the second feed roller 62 about the
third rotary shaft 120. A circumferential surface of the second
pulley 83 is divided into a right area (side) and a left area
(side). The first belt 85 is wound on the right-side
circumferential surface of the second pulley 83, and the second
belt 86 is wound on the left-side circumferential surface
thereof
[0050] The endless annular first belt 85 is stretched between the
first pulley 82 and the second pulley 83. One of opposite portions
of the first belt 85 is wound on a circumferential surface of the
first pulley 82 and the other thereof is wound on the right-side
circumferential surface of the second pulley 83. The first belt 85
is circulated by rotation of the first pulley 82. The second pulley
83 is rotated by circulation of the first belt 85. In other words,
a rotary drive force of the first pulley 82 is transmitted to the
second pulley 83 through the first belt 85.
[0051] The first tensioner 87 consists of a first tensioner roller
90 and a first tensioner support portion 91. The first tensioner
support portion 91 supports the first tensioner roller 90 such that
the roller 90 is freely rotatable. The first tensioner support
portion 91 is attached to a left side surface of the left frame 17
at a position where at least a bottom end of the first tensioner
roller 90 is located below the height level of a top end of the
first pulley 82 and a top end of the second pulley 83. An upper
surface of an upper portion of the first belt 85 that is located
between the first pulley 82 and the second pulley 83 is wound on a
lower circumferential surface of the first tensioner roller 90.
Accordingly, a tension in a downward direction is applied to the
first belt 85 by the first tensioner roller 90. In other words, the
first tensioner 87 pulls the first belt 85 in a direction away from
the first feed path 65.
[0052] The third feed roller 45 consists of a fourth rotary shaft
130 and a plurality of third circular members 131, formed of an
elastic member such as rubber, which are provided at the periphery
of the fourth rotary shaft 130 in the circumferential direction and
are contactable with the recording sheet and the media tray 71. The
plurality of third circular members 131 are spaced from each other
in the left-right direction 9. In the frames 16, 17, there are
formed a second right cutout 132 and a second left cutout 133,
respectively. Opposite end portions (a left end portion and a right
end portion) of the fourth rotary shaft 130 in the left-right
direction 9 are respectively inserted in the second right cutout
132 and the second left cutout 133. Since the fourth rotary shaft
130 is supported by the right frame 16 and the left frame 17, the
third feed roller 45 is rotatably supported, on the right side of
the right frame 16 and on the left side of the left frame 17, by a
second guide member 55 (shown in FIG. 2) that is movable in the
vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 and that will
be described later. A direction in which the second right cutout
132 and the second left cutout 133 extend is in parallel with a
direction in which the third feed roller 45 is moved between a
third position and a fourth position that will be described later.
In other words, the direction of extension of the second right
cutout 132 and the second left cutout 133 defines or coincides with
the direction of the movement of the third feed roller 45 between
the third position and the fourth position.
[0053] The third pulley 84 is attached to the fourth rotary shaft
130 on the left side of the left frame 17. The third pulley 84 is
rotated integrally with the third feed roller 45 about the fourth
rotary shaft 130. The second belt 86 is wound on a circumferential
surface of the third pulley 84.
[0054] The endless annular second belt 86 is stretched between the
second pulley 83 and the third pulley 84. One of opposite portions
of the second belt 86 is wound on the left-side circumferential
surface of the second pulley 83, that is, a circumferential surface
of the second pulley 83 different in an axial direction from a
circumferential surface thereof on which the first belt 85 is
wound, and the other of the second belt 86 is wound on the
circumferential surface of the third pulley 84. The second belt 86
is circulated by the rotation of the second pulley 83. The third
pulley 84 is rotated by the circulation of the second belt 86. In
other words, a rotary drive force of the second pulley 83 is
transmitted to the third pulley 84 through the second belt 86.
[0055] The second tensioner 88 consists of a second tensioner
roller 92 and a second tensioner support portion 93. The second
tensioner support portion 93 supports the second tensioner roller
92 such that the roller 92 is freely rotatable. The second
tensioner support portion 93 is attached to the left side surface
of the left frame 17 at a position where at least a bottom end of
the second tensioner roller 92 is located below the height level of
a top end of the second pulley 83 and a top end of the third pulley
84. An upper surface of an upper portion of the second belt 86 that
is located between the second pulley 83 and the third pulley 84 is
wound on a lower portion of a circumferential surface of the second
tensioner roller 92. Accordingly, a tension in a downward direction
is applied to the second belt 86 by the second tensioner roller 92.
In other words, the second tensioner 88 pulls the second belt 86 in
a direction away from the first feed path 65.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the second pinch roller 89 is provided
on the downstream side of the spur roller 63 in the feed direction
and in the upper portion of the first feed path 65. The second
pinch roller 89 is, as described later, located at a position
opposed to the second feed roller 62 that is moved to the second
position by the first guide member 54. Further, the spur roller 63
is located at a position opposed to the second feed roller 62 that
is positioned at the first position described later. Similarly to
the first pinch roller 61, the second pinch roller 89 consists of a
rotary shaft (not shown) and a circular member (not shown), and is
rotatably supported on a frame (not shown) of the printer portion
11. It is preferable that the second pinch roller 89 is located
right above the second feed roller 62 that is positioned at the
second position, and in the present embodiment, the second pinch
roller 89 is located right above the second feed roller 62 at the
second position. In other words, a straight line connecting between
a center of a rotary shaft of the second pinch roller 89 and the
third rotary shaft 120 of the second feed roller 62 is a line that
extends in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction at a
nipping position of the fourth pair of rollers 59. For example, the
straight line is a line extending in the vertical direction 7.
[0057] [First member operating mechanism 94 and Second member
operating mechanism 95]
[0058] The second feed roller 62 is movable between the first
position (shown in FIG. 4A and indicated by a solid line in FIG.
2), and the second position (shown in FIG. 4C and indicated by a
broken line in FIG. 2) that is located below the first position (a
side away from the first feed path 65) and on a front side of the
first position (a side away from the first tensioner 87), that is,
the second position is located on an obliquely front and lower side
of the first position. The second feed roller 62 positioned at the
first position is pressed into contact with the spur roller 63 and
the recording sheet can be nipped between the second feed roller 62
and the spur roller 63 to be fed. The second feed roller 62
positioned at the second position can nip and carry the media tray
71 with the second pinch roller 89.
[0059] When the second feed roller 62 is moved to a position below
the first position, the tension applied to the first belt 85 by the
first tensioner 87 is decreased. On the other hand, when the second
feed roller 62 is moved frontward from the first position, the
tension applied to the first belt 85 by the first tensioner 87 is
increased. The second position is such a position that the decrease
of the tension of the first tensioner 87 due to the movement of the
second feed roller 62 to the position below the first tensioner 87
is equal to the increase of the tension thereof due to the
frontward movement of the same 62. In other words, when the second
feed roller 62 is positioned at the second position, the first
tensioner 87 applies to the first belt 85 the tension equivalent to
the tension applied by the first tensioner 87 to the first belt 85
when the second feed roller 62 is positioned at the first
position.
[0060] The second feed roller 62 is arranged such that an upper end
thereof is located above the height level of the support surface 43
of the platen 42 in any of these two cases where the second feed
roller 62 is positioned at the first position and where the same 62
is positioned at the second position.
[0061] The third feed roller 45 is movable between the third
position (shown in FIG. 4A and indicated by a solid line in FIG.
2), and the fourth position (shown in FIG. 4C and indicated by a
broken line in FIG. 2) that is below and on a front side of the
third position, that is, the fourth position is located on an
obliquely front and lower side of the third position. The third
feed roller 45 positioned at the third position is pressed into
contact with the spur roller 46, and the recording sheet can be
nipped and fed by the third feed roller 45 and the spur roller
46.
[0062] When the third feed roller 45 is moved to a position below
the third position, the tension applied to the second belt 86 by
the second tensioner 88 is decreased. On the other hand, when the
third feed roller 45 is moved frontward from the third position,
the tension applied to the second belt 86 by the second tensioner
88 is increased. The fourth position is such a position that the
decrease of the tension of the second tensioner 88 due to the
movement of the third feed roller 45 to the position below the
second tensioner 88 is equal to the increase of the tension thereof
due to the frontward movement of the same 45. In other words, when
the third feed roller 45 is positioned at the fourth position, the
second tensioner 88 applies to the second belt 86 the tension
equivalent to the tension applied by the second tensioner 88 to the
second belt 86 when the third feed roller 45 is positioned at the
third position.
[0063] The third feed roller 45 positioned at the fourth position
is spaced away from the spur roller 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the
third feed roller 45 positioned at the third position is located
above the height level of the second feed roller 62 positioned at
the first position. Further, the third feed roller 45 positioned at
the fourth position is located below the height level of the second
feed roller 62 positioned at the second position. Since the upper
end of the third feed roller 45 positioned at the fourth position
is located below the height level of the support surface 43 of the
platen 42, the third feed roller 45 at the fourth position does not
carry the media tray 71.
[0064] In FIGS. 2 and 5A-5D, for easy understanding of movement of
each roller 62, 45, respective amounts of the movement of the
rollers 62, 45 are shown in a larger way than actual amounts of the
movement of the respective rollers 62, 45.
[0065] In order to perform the above-described movements of the
respective feed motors 62, 45, as shown in FIG. 2, in the printer
portion 11, there are provided a first member operating mechanism
94 as an example of a first moving mechanism in the present
invention and a second member operating mechanism 95 as an example
of a second moving mechanism in the present invention.
[0066] The first member operating mechanism 94 includes the first
guide member 54, a first eccentric cam 96 which moves the first
guide member 54 and the second feed roller 62 in the vertical
direction 7, and the first right cutout 122 and the first left
cutout 123 which allow the second feed roller 62 to move in the
front-rear direction 8. The second member operating mechanism 95
includes the second guide member 55, a second eccentric cam 97
which moves the second guide member 55 and the third feed roller 45
in the vertical direction 7, and the second right cutout 132 and
the second left cutout 133 which allow the third feed roller 45 to
move in the front-rear direction 8. The first, second member
operating mechanisms 94, 95 may have other configurations as long
as they can move the respective rollers 62, 45 in the vertical
direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.
[0067] The first eccentric cam 96 is disposed below the first guide
member 54 in a state in which the first eccentric cam 96 is pressed
into contact with the first guide member 54. The first eccentric
cam 96 is supported by the frame (not shown) and the like of the
printer portion 11 so as to be rotatable about a first shaft 99 as
a rotary shaft extending in the left-right direction 9. The first
eccentric cam 96 is a disk whose diameter from the first shaft 99
is periodically changed. The first guide member 54 is supported so
as to be placed on the first eccentric cam 96. The first eccentric
cam 96 is rotated by a drive force transmitted from a first cam
motor (not shown). When the first eccentric cam 96 is rotated, a
circumferential surface thereof slides relative to the first guide
member 54. Because the diameter of the circumferential surface of
the first eccentric cam 96 from the first shaft 99 is periodically
changed, the first guide member 54 is moved in the vertical
direction 7 based on the change of the diameter thereof. The first
guide member 54 has a through-hole through which the third rotary
shaft 120 extends such that the opposite ends of the third rotary
shaft 120 are supported on the right frame 16 and the left frame 17
while the first guide member 54 rotatably supports the third rotary
shaft 120 that is a rotary shaft of the second feed roller 62.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5A-5B, the first right cutout
122 and the first left cutout 123 extend obliquely in such a way
that respective rear ends thereof are in an upper position and
respective front ends thereof in a lower position. Accordingly,
when the second feed roller 62 is moved in the vertical direction 7
by the rotation of the first eccentric cam 96, the second feed
roller 62 is movable only along the cutouts 122, 123, that is,
movable between a first position 141 and a second position 142.
When the third rotary shaft 120 is positioned at the first position
141 at which the third rotary shaft 120 is positioned at an open
end portion of the first left cutout 123 as shown in FIG. 5A, the
second feed roller 62 is positioned at the first position, and when
the third rotary shaft 120 is at the second position 142 at which
the third rotary shaft 120 is at a closed end portion of the first
left cutout 123, the second feed roller 62 is positioned at the
second position. Because the second position 142 is located at the
closed end portion of the first left cutout 123, even in a case
where the first eccentric cam 96 is rotated too much, the third
rotary shaft 120 is maintained at the second position 142, so that
the second feed roller 62 can be accurately positioned at the
second position.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 2, the second eccentric cam 97 is disposed
below the second guide member 55 in a state in which the second
eccentric cam 97 is pressed into contact with the second guide
member 55. The second eccentric cam 97 is supported by the frame
(not shown) of the printer portion 11 so as to be rotatable about a
second shaft 100 as a rotary shaft extending in the left-right
direction 9. The second eccentric cam 97 is a disk whose diameter
from the second shaft 100 is periodically changed. The second guide
member 55 is supported so as to be placed on the second eccentric
cam 97. The second eccentric cam 97 is rotated by a drive force
transmitted from a second cam motor (not shown) different from the
first cam motor. When the second eccentric cam 97 is rotated, a
circumferential surface thereof slides relative to the second guide
member 55. Because the diameter of the circumferential surface of
the second eccentric cam 97 from the second shaft 100 is
periodically changed, the second guide member 55 is moved in the
vertical direction 7 based on the change of the diameter thereof.
The second guide member 55 has a through-hole through which the
fourth rotary shaft 130 extends such that the opposite ends of the
fourth rotary shaft 130 are supported on the right frame 16 and the
left frame 17 while the second guide member 55 rotatably supports
the fourth rotary shaft 130 that is a rotary shaft of the third
feed roller 45.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5A-5B, the second right cutout
132 and the second left cutout 133 extend obliquely in such a way
that respective rear ends thereof are in an upper position and
respective front ends thereof in a lower position. Accordingly,
when the third feed roller 45 is moved in the vertical direction 7
by the rotation of the second eccentric cam 97, the third feed
roller 45 is movable only along the cutouts 132, 133, that is,
movable between a third position 143 and a fourth position 144.
When the fourth rotary shaft 130 is positioned at the third
position 143 at which the fourth rotary shaft 130 is positioned at
an open end portion of the second left cutout 133 as shown in FIG.
5A, the third feed roller 45 is positioned at the third position,
and when the fourth rotary shaft 130 is at the fourth position 144
at which the fourth rotary shaft 130 is at a closed end portion of
the second left cutout 133, the third feed roller 45 is positioned
at the fourth position. Because the fourth position 144 is located
at the closed end portion of the second left cutout 133, even in a
case where the second eccentric cam 97 is rotated too much, the
fourth rotary shaft 130 is maintained at the fourth position 144,
so that the third feed roller 45 can be accurately positioned at
the fourth position.
[0071] The diameters of the respective eccentric cams 96, 97 and
positions of the shafts 99, 100 thereof are adjusted such that
displacement of the third feed roller 45 from the third position to
the fourth position in the vertical direction 7 is made larger than
that of the second feed roller 62 from the first position to the
second position in the vertical direction 7. In the present
embodiment, as an example of the above-described adjustment, the
diameter of the second eccentric cam 97 is made larger than that of
the first eccentric cam 96.
[0072] [Movement of second feed roller 62 and third feed roller
45]
[0073] Hereinafter, there will be described a procedure for having
the media tray 71 be in a state of being insertable into the MFD
10, when an image is recorded on the recording medium such as a
CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. When image recording on the recording medium
is instructed by an instructing means, not shown, the second cam
motor is driven. Accordingly, the second eccentric cam 97 is
rotated, and the third feed roller 45 is moved from the third
position to the fourth position.
[0074] When a sensor (not shown) detects that the third feed roller
45 has reached the fourth position, the first cam motor is driven.
Accordingly, the first eccentric cam 96 is rotated, and the second
feed roller 62 is moved from the first position to the second
position. That is, the first member operating mechanism 94 includes
the above-mentioned sensor. The first member operating mechanism 94
moves the second feed roller 62 from the first position to the
second position under a condition that the movement of the third
feed roller 45 from the third position to the fourth position by
the second member operating mechanism 95 is completed.
[0075] The path switching portion 41 is also pivoted from the
reverse position to the discharge position. This change in position
is, for example, performed by transmission of a drive force from a
motor and the like to the path switching portion 41, with an
instruction by the instructing means being as a trigger. As a
result of the above-mentioned operations, the media tray 71 becomes
in the state of being insertable into the opening 13 of the MFD 10
along the first feed path 65 in the direction indicated by the
arrow 77.
[0076] [Effects of present embodiment]
[0077] When the second feed roller 62 is moved, a tension applied
to the first belt 85 by the first tensioner 87 may be changed. When
the tension applied to the first belt 85 is changed, transmission
of a drive force between the rollers may not be properly performed,
leading to an unstable carrying performance of the media tray 71.
In the present embodiment, however, even when the second feed
roller 62 has been moved from the first position to the second
position, the tension applied to the first belt 85 can be equal to
that when the second feed roller 62 is positioned at the first
position. Therefore, the first roller 85 can be moved without
excessive change in the tension applied to the first belt 85.
[0078] In a case where the first tensioner 87 is located at a
position where the first tensioner 87 pulls the first belt 85 in
the direction away from the first feed path 65, when the second
feed roller 62 is moved in the direction away from the first feed
path 65, the tension applied to the first belt 85 by the first
tensioner 87 is decreased. In the present embodiment, however, even
in that case the second feed roller 62 is moved in the direction
away from the first feed path 65 and also in a direction away from
the first tensioner 87, the decrease in the tension applied to the
first belt 85 is prevented.
[0079] As in the present embodiment, in a case where the first feed
roller 60 and the second feed roller 62, to which the drive force
is transmitted from the feed motor, are respectively located on
opposite sides of the first feed path 65, when the second feed
roller 62 and the first feed roller 60 are connected with each
other directly by the first belt 85 and a drive force is
transmitted from the first feed roller 60 to the second feed roller
62, the recording sheet and the media tray 71 cannot be carried.
This is because one of the rollers rotates so as to guide the
recording sheet and the media tray 71 in the feed direction, while
the other roller is rotated so as to guide the recording sheet and
the media tray 71 in the opposite direction to the feed direction,
that is, the first feed roller 60 and the second feed roller 62 are
rotated in the opposite direction relative to the movement of the
recording sheet and the media tray 71. In the present embodiment,
however, the drive force transmitted, through the first gear 80 and
the second gear 81, to the first feed roller 60 from the feed motor
is transmitted to the first pulley 82 that is disposed on the same
side of the first feed path 65 as the second feed roller 62.
Therefore, the first feed roller 60 and the second feed roller 62
are rotated in the same direction relative to the movement of the
recording sheet and the media tray 71 so as to carry the recording
sheet and the media tray 71.
[0080] In a case where the second feed roller 62 and the spur
roller 63 nip and feed the recording sheet, in order to feed the
recording sheet stably, the second feed roller 62 and the spur
roller 63 is preferably provided to be opposed to each other, and
in the present embodiment, the rollers 62, 63 are opposed to each
other. Accordingly, the recording sheet is nipped and fed by the
second feed roller 62 at the first position and the spur roller 63
that are opposed to each other. However, when the second feed
roller 62 is moved from the first position to the second position,
the second feed roller 62 and the spur roller 63 are not opposed to
each other. In this case, when the media tray 71 is carried by the
fourth pair of rollers 59, a moment is produced in the media tray
71 due to forces received in opposite directions from the
respective rollers 62, 63 that are not opposed to each other. As a
result, the media tray 71 may be deformed, or may not be carried
with stability.
[0081] In the present embodiment, however, the second pinch roller
89 is disposed so as to be opposite to the second feed roller 62 at
the second position. Therefore, the media tray 71 is nipped and
carried by the second feed roller 62 at the second position and the
second pinch roller 89 that are opposed to each other. It can
reduce the possibility of deformation of the media tray 71, and
also the media tray 71 can be carried with stability.
[0082] Further, in the present embodiment, the straight line that
connects the center of the rotary shaft of the second pinch roller
89 and the third rotary shaft 120 of the second feed roller 62
extends perpendicularly to the feed direction at the nipping
position of the fourth pair of rollers 59. Accordingly, no moment
occurs in the media tray 71 due to the forces received from the
respective rollers 62, 89. It can reduce the possibility of
deformation of the media tray 71, and also the media tray 71 can be
carried with stability.
[0083] In a case where the second feed roller 62 is moved before
the third feed roller 45 starts to move, a tension applied to the
second belt 86 changes because of the movement of the second feed
roller 62. In the present embodiment, however, the second feed
roller 62 is moved after the movement of the third feed roller 45
is completed. The completion of the movement of the third feed
roller 45 gives the second belt 86 such a tension that a change in
tension by the movement of the second feed roller 62 has been
considered. Therefore, even when the second feed roller 62 is moved
after the movement of the third feed roller 45, it is restrained
that the movement of the second feed roller 62 influences the
change in tension applied to the second belt 86.
[0084] [Modified embodiment 1]
[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, there was described a case
where the second feed roller 62 is moved after the third feed
roller 45 reaches the fourth position. However, the first member
operating mechanism 94 may move the second feed roller 62 may be
moved from the first position to the second position under a
condition that the third feed roller 45 starts to be moved from the
third position to the fourth position. For example, such a movement
can be performed by a configuration in which drive instructions to
the first cam motor and the second cam motor are simultaneously
ordered by a controller (not shown) that controls entire operations
of the MFD 10. Alternatively, such a movement can be performed by a
configuration in which, after the drive instruction is given to the
second cam motor, the drive instruction is given to the first cam
motor.
[0086] In a case where the second feed roller 62 is moved before
the third feed roller 45 starts to be moved, a tension applied to
the second belt 86 is unfortunately changed because of the movement
of the second feed roller 62. In the modified embodiment 1,
however, the second feed roller 62 is never be moved before the
third feed roller 45 starts to be moved. Therefore, it can be
restrained that the movement of the second feed roller 62
influences the change in tension applied to the second belt 86.
[0087] [Modified embodiment 2]
[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, such case was described that
the second member operating mechanism 95 moves the third feed
roller 45 between the third position 143 and the fourth position
144 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C and in FIG. 5A. However, in
addition to the third position 143 and the fourth position 144, the
second member operating mechanism 95 may move the third feed roller
45 to a fifth position 145 that is located on a path connecting
between the third position 143 and the fourth position 144, as
shown in FIG. 4B and 5B.
[0089] Here, the fifth position 145 is a position at which the
third feed roller 45 has been moved from the fourth position 144
toward the third position 143 by the same distance as that from the
first position 141 to the second position 142 and in the same
direction as that from the first position 141 to the second
position 142. That is, the distance and the direction from the
first position 141 to the second position 142 are the same as the
distance and the direction from the fifth position 145 to the
fourth position 144. Since the distance and the direction from the
fifth position 145 to the fourth position 144 are the same as those
from the first position 141 to the second position 142, as shown in
FIG. 5B, a distance from the third position 143 to the fourth
position 144 is longer than that from the first position 141 to the
second position 142.
[0090] FIG. 5B shows a case where a slope from the third position
143 to the fifth position 145 is steeper than that from the fifth
position 145 to the fourth position 144. However, as shown in FIG.
5C, the slope from the third position 143 to the fifth position 145
may be the same as that from the fifth position 145 to the fourth
position 144. Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, the slope from the
third position 143 to the fifth position 145 may be gentler than
that from the fifth position 145 to the fourth position 144.
[0091] Hereinafter, there will be described a procedure, in the
modified embodiment 2, for having the media tray 71 be in a state
of being insertable into the MFD 10 when an image is recorded on
the recording medium. When image recording on the recording medium
is instructed by the instructing means, not shown, the second cam
motor is driven. Accordingly, the second eccentric cam 97 is
rotated, and the third feed roller 45 is moved from the third
position 143 to the fifth position 145.
[0092] When a sensor (not shown) has detected that the third feed
roller 45 has reached the fifth position 145, the first cam motor
is driven. Accordingly, the first eccentric cam 96 is rotated, and
the first guide member 54 is moved downward. The second eccentric
cam 97 also continues to be rotated, and the second guide member 55
is moved downward. As a result, at the same time as the second feed
roller 62 starts to be moved from the first position 141 to the
second position 142, the third feed roller 45 is moved from the
fifth position 145 to the fourth position 144.
[0093] That is, the first member operating mechanism 94 includes
the above-mentioned sensor. The first member operating mechanism 94
moves the second feed roller 62 from the first position 141 to the
second position 142 under a condition that the movement of the
third feed roller 45 from the third position 143 to the fifth
position 145 by the second member operating mechanism 95 is
completed. Further, the second member operating mechanism 95 moves
the third feed roller 45 from the fifth position 145 to the fourth
position 144 at the same time as the second feed roller 62 starts
to be moved from the first position 141 to the second position 142
by the first member operating mechanism 94.
[0094] The second cam motor may be once stopped when the third feed
roller 45 reaches the fifth position 145, and then start to be
driven again at the same time as the first cam motor starts to be
driven. In this configuration, drive instructions to the first cam
motor and the second cam motor are simultaneously ordered by a
controller (not shown) that controls entire operations of the MFD
10.
[0095] The path switching portion 41 is also pivoted from the
reverse position to the discharge position. This change in position
is, for example, performed by transmission of a drive force from a
motor and the like to the path switching portion 41, with an
instruction by the instructing means being as a trigger. As a
result of the above-mentioned operations, the media tray 71 becomes
in the state of being insertable into the opening 13 of the MFD 10
along the first feed path 65 in the direction indicated by the
arrow 77.
[0096] In the modified embodiment 2, because, for the same reason
as in the illustrated embodiment, the third feed roller 45 is moved
from the third position 143 to the fifth position 145 before the
movement of the second feed roller 62 from the first position 141
to the second position 142, it can be restrained that the movement
of the second feed roller 62 influences the change in tension
applied to the second belt 86. Furthermore, in the modified
embodiment 2, the third feed roller 45 is moved from the fifth
position 145 to the fourth position 144 at the same time as the
second feed roller 62 starts to be moved from the first position
141 to the second position 142. Here, the fifth position 145 is the
position at which the third feed roller 45 has been moved from the
fourth position 144 toward the third position 143 by the same
distance as that from the first position 141 to the second position
142 and in the same direction as that from the first position 141
to the second position 142. Therefore, the second feed roller 62
that is moved from the first position 141 to the second position
142 and the third feed roller 45 that is moved from the fifth
position 145 to the forth position 144 are moved in parallel with
each other. Accordingly, a load to the second belt 86 due to the
movement of the second feed roller 62 can be minimized.
[0097] [Modified embodiment 3]
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, the illustrated embodiment
illustrates that the first tensioner 87 is attached to the left
side surface of the left frame 17 at the position where at least
the bottom end of the first tensioner roller 90 is located below
the height level of the top end of the first pulley 82 and the top
end of the second pulley 83, and the upper surface of the upper
portion of the first belt 85 that is located between the first
pulley 82 and the second pulley 83 is wound on the lower
circumferential surface of the first tensioner roller 90. However,
the first tensioner 87 may be attached to the left side surface of
the left frame 17 at a position different from the above-mentioned
position.
[0099] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first tensioner 87 may
be attached to the left side surface of the left frame 17 at a
position where at least a top end of the first tensioner roller 90
is located above the height level of a bottom end of the first
pulley 82 and a bottom end of the second pulley 83, and a lower
surface of a lower portion of the first belt 85 that is located
between the first pulley 82 and the second pulley 83 is wound on an
upper circumferential surface of the first tensioner roller 90.
[0100] In this configuration, a tension in an upward direction is
applied to the first belt 85 by the first tensioner roller 90. In
other words, the first tensioner 87 pulls the first belt 85 in a
direction closer to the first feed path 65.
[0101] In this case, the second position is located at a position
below the first position (i.e., the position farther from the first
feed path 65) and at a position on a rear side of the first
position (i.e., the position nearer to the first tensioner 87 than
the first position). That is, the second position is located on an
obliquely rear and lower side of the first position.
[0102] In a case where the first tensioner 87 is located at such a
position as applying a tension to the first belt 85 in the
direction closer to the first feed path 65, when the second feed
roller 62 is moved in the direction away from the first feed path
65, the tension applied to the first belt 85 by the first tensioner
87 is increased, which may accelerate deterioration of the first
belt 85, causing the first belt 85 to be stretched or broken. In
the modified embodiment 3, the second feed roller 62 is moved in
the direction nearer to the first tensioner 87 when it is moved in
the direction away from the first feed path 65. Therefore, the
tension applied to the first belt 85 by the first tensioner 87 is
prevented from increasing. Further, since an amount of movement of
the second feed roller 62 in the direction nearer to the first
tensioner 87 is adjusted to such an amount that the tension applied
to the first belt 85 remains unchanged, the tension applied to the
first belt 85 is prevented from decreasing.
[0103] The second tensioner 88 may be structured in the same manner
as the first tensioner 87 in the modified embodiment 3.
[0104] [Modified embodiment 4]
[0105] The first feed roller 60 may be disposed below the first
feed path 65. In this case, a positional relationship between each
pair of rollers is turned upside down relative to the illustrated
embodiment. In other words, the rollers 61, 62, 45 are respectively
located in the upper portion of the first feed path 65, and the
rollers 63, 46, 89 in the lower portion of the first feed path 65.
Accompanied with this, a positional relationship among the
components of the feeding device 12 is turned upside down relative
to the illustrated embodiment.
[0106] [Modified embodiment 5]
[0107] The MFD 10 may not have the third feed roller 45. For
example, the MFD 10 only for one-side printing can adopt such a
structure. In this case, the feeding device 12 consists of the
first feed path 65, the first feed roller 60, the second feed
roller 62, the first gear 80, the second gear 81, the first pulley
82, the second pulley 83, the first belt 85, the first tensioner
87, the second pinch roller 89 and the first member operating
mechanism 94.
[0108] The first pulley 82 may be rotated by a drive source (not
shown) which drives the sheet-supply roller 25, a suction pump (not
shown) for maintenance of the recording head 38 and so on.
* * * * *